CELF - KWARA

HICA presents CELF scholar, seeks Oloriegbe’s support

The Haashim Initiative for Community Advancement (HICA) delegation, alongside a beneficiary of the 2020 Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship (CELF) scholarship, Abdulwasiu Abdulwahab, paid a courtesy visit to the cohort sponsor, Senator (Dr) Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, at his Ilorin residence.

Leading the delegation, CELF Convener, Dr Abdulrasheed Saadudeen said the visit was to convey heartfelt appreciation for the senator's generous support and to formally present the scholar who benefitted from the sponsorship.

He noted that the scholarship has continued to transform lives, empowering young leaders with skills and confidence to serve their communities while strengthening grassroots development efforts across Kwara State and beyond.

The delegation also sought sustained collaboration, particularly in capacity building and community development initiatives aimed at nurturing responsible leadership and expanding opportunities for young people in underserved communities.

Responding, Dr Oloriegbe commended the initiative and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting impactful programmes like CELF, describing youth empowerment as a shared responsibility essential for sustainable community growth and national development.

Honoring a Visionary Leader: A Visit to Celebrate Our Pioneer Convener

Today, the Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship (CELF) team had the honor of visiting Dr. Lawal Olalekan Olohungbebe, the Honorable Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, to congratulate him on his well-deserved appointment and appreciate his unwavering support for CELF over the years. As our pioneer convener, his commitment to education, youth empowerment, and sustainable community development has been instrumental in shaping the initiative into what it is today.

Led by the new Convener, Dr. Saadudeen Abdulrasheed, the team comprising some dedicated volunteers and CELF fellows from various institutions came together to express our gratitude and celebrate this new milestone. The event was witnessed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Barke, who shared her joy in seeing how CELF has grown. She recalled suggesting granting the approval for our inaugural event in 2021 and expressed her pride in the impact the initiative continues to make in nurturing young leaders.

The fellows in attendance were also led by Lawalson Testimony, a 400-level student of Kwara State University, alongside Oladosu Victory (300L), Muhammed Salmat (300L), Tijjani Ibrahim (300L), and Abdullateef Muhammed (200L) from the University of Ilorin, as well as Isiaq Fasilat, an ND 2 graduate of Kwara State Polytechnic. Lawalson Testimony spoke about how CELF has positively influenced their academic and leadership journey, emphasizing its role in shaping their aspirations and commitment to community development.

In his response, the Honorable Commissioner appreciated the continuous support of His Excellency, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, in ensuring the success of CELF since its inception. He was particularly pleased to see some of the CELF fellows now thriving in various institutions across Kwara and commended the dedication of the volunteers who have sustained the initiative for over a decade.

As a token of appreciation, the CELF Convener presented a special gift to the Honorable Commissioner, bearing a heartfelt message acknowledging his dedication and the significance of his new role. The entire CELF community rejoices with him, confident that his leadership will drive meaningful progress in education and human capital development.

Once again, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Lawal Olalekan Olohungbebe. His impact continues to inspire us, and we remain committed to the vision of empowering young leaders and fostering positive change in our communities.

HICA appoints Saadudeen as 2024 CELF convener

The advisory board of the Haashim Initiative for Community Advancement (HICA) has appointed Abdulrasheed Saadudeen as the convener of 2024 edition of the Countryside Emerging Leadership (CELF).

Since its maiden edition in the year 2020, Saadudeen has been the CELF secretary, handling publicity and media relations alongside other volunteers for the educational camping aimed at equipping the youths with functional education.

The statement reads: “The HICA advisory board wishes to announce the appointment of Dr Abdulrasheed Saadudeen as the convener of the 2024 edition of the Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship (CELF) to provide effective leadership and oversight of CELF.

“Dr Saadudeen has been with the organisation for the last six years as volunteer and part of its leadership team having served as Secretary roles and as community and media relations officer. He is also the project manager of the Kwara Unsung Heroes’ Award. The board would like to also extend its appreciation to Dr Lawal Olohungbebe who has been the CELF convener for the past four years, “ the statement adds.

Saadudeen holds a Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) degree, a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) from University of Ilorin and a Master of Science (M. Sc.) degree from University of Lagos. He is an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).